Post-16 Reform and Fair Access: Who Gets Ahead in 2025?
What does the future of fair access look like in the wake of the government’s post‑16 reforms? And how are new Sutton Trust findings shaping the debate on higher education, place and class in 2025?
Join host Sarah Dirrane in conversation with Jon Datta for a live, insight‑led edition of The Student Outcomes Podcast. Together they will explore what’s changing for learners, how perceptions of higher education are evolving, and why geography and background continue to influence opportunity. The discussion will close with a focus on working‑class boys and students on Free School Meals; their experiences, aspirations and what needs to shift to ensure no one is left behind.
Expect a thoughtful, open conversation, grounded in evidence and lived experience; on the choices, policies and perceptions shaping education today.
As Head of University Access & Digital at the Sutton Trust, Jon leads on the Trust’s Higher Education strategy and oversees transformative programmes to champion fair access to higher education and improve social mobility. Jon joined the Trust from the University of Cambridge, where, as Deputy Head of Widening Participation, he oversaw the delivery of effective outreach programmes for targeted groups and schools, contributing to the University’s statutory Access and Participation Plan commitments.
With extensive expertise in secondary education, Jon previously served as Director of School Improvement for a school trust and was a senior leader and award-winning teacher in schools across East and North London. He is also currently Chair of Governors at his local comprehensive school, where he continues to advocate for equity in education.
Sarah Dirrane is the Co-Founder and Research Director at Cosmos, an organisation recognised for its award-winning work with underrepresented students. With over two decades of experience in higher education research, she leads projects that help universities understand and measure change in access, recruitment, engagement and retention across diverse student groups. Her work combines data-led insight with strategic understanding of how institutions can turn evidence into impact.
Sarah is a Board Member on the newly established Equity Board at Buckinghamshire New University, where she is helping to shape the institution’s new Equity Action Plan. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for The Catalyst Collective, supporting its mission to empower young Black women through mentoring and robust evaluation.